Salt Lake City Mayor Speaks up on Utah Monument Review

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah(ABC4 Utah) Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke speaking in support of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in southern Utah.

“Any federal decision to modify acreage or roll back protection of these incredible spaces will have negative and far-reaching impacts on Salt Lake City, as well as our entire state,” the Mayor wrote. Read the entire letter here.

“Our Capital City is the gateway to the majestic national parks and monuments that make Southern Utah a worldwide tourist destination. These lands are powerful economic drivers for our city, with thousands of visitors launching their adventures to these iconic landscapes from Salt Lake City.”

Mayor Biskupski also noted the recent decision by Outdoor Industry Association to move the Outdoor Retailer shows from Salt Lake City due to an impasses between state leaders and industry executives over public lands.

“While my Administration and others continue to reach out to the outdoor industry, both locally and nationally, we cannot afford further damage to our reputation posed by altering the monuments.”

The mayor’s letter also brought up the issue of the extraction of fossil fuels in the area, describing that as the “opposite direction Salt Lake City is taking,” and highlighting the City’s clean energy goals.

Mayor Biskupski also expressed concern for the culture, history, and voices of Native American’s who have advocated for the Bears Ears Monument.